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rascal came up stream tliroug-h the next arcli ! Of course, 

 he smashed me, and my comment of " Thank God, he's 

 gone I " received a responsive " Amen " from the boatman. 

 But he was very ^vrath with me notwithstanding, and said 

 it was just foolishness to be using "a thing like that" — 

 referring to my favourite rod — for such fighting fish as 

 those of the Moy. But we set to work and repaired 

 damages, which were nothing more serious than the loss of 

 a couple of links of gut. Our luck appears to have for- 

 saken us, with the lost fish, and the " Goshawk " has no 

 charm for them. I am a great believer in a bit of tinsel 

 for salmon just out of the sea, and I mount a small silver 

 doctor, in spite of my boatman's misgivings. At the 

 second cast there was a splendid head and tail rise, and then 

 the fun began. Like an arrow from a bow he bolts down 

 stream, and then, turning suddenly, races back, throwing 

 somersaults in the air at every few yards as he makes for 

 the broken water beneath the weir. If you want to try 

 what strength a salmon has in fast water try him under con- 

 ditions like these, on a 14 feet rod and fine tackle. Round 

 the pool again goes the courageous fish, now "jiggering " 

 his head like a dog shaking a rat, now high in the air, now 

 deep under water, now making .short rushes and flying 

 leaps, whilst the cruel bending rod continually goads him 

 to further frenzied eiforts to regain his lost liberty " Bear 

 harder on him," says Mike, who does not like my fine tackle 

 and gentle treatment, and I therefore give the " butt " until 

 the trembling vibrations of the rod convey the telephone 

 message that the struggle is nearly over, and, barring 

 accident, victory mine. A few more short rushes and the 

 noble fish rolls over on the surface, and slowly, but surely, 

 yields, inch by inoh, to the winding line which draws him 

 to his fate. He makes a final struggle, but it comes too late 

 — the net is beneath him, and, in the twinkling of an eye, 

 this silvery fourteen-pounder finds himself in the boat. I 

 see you casting a wistful glance at the basket, Mike, and 

 you shall keep up the traditional custom of the country by 

 wetting him with a drop of the "crathur." This bit of 

 good sport restores the good temper of my attendant, and 



